YWCA Domestic Violence Program Gets a Helping Hand from Walla Walla Community Hospice

Walla Walla, WA. Walla Walla Community Hospice (WWCH) has facilitated a substantial donation to the Walla Walla YWCA Women’s Safe Shelter. As non-profit health care agency, WWCH often is the recipient of charitable contributions, but in this case, their pharmacy administrator, Origins Pharmacy Solutions, offered a way for the hospice to be the benefactor. Through a campaign called “One for the Least of These”, a portion of Walla Walla Community Hospice’s drug expenditures were donated by Origins to a charity that serves the homeless or displaced children. The staff at WWCH chose the YWCA’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Resource Center.

“There are so many worthwhile programs which serve the homeless population in our community, it was difficult to choose just one”, said Community Relations Coordinator Laurie Klicker. “Our entire staff participated in the selection, and appreciated the YWCA’s commitment to protecting women and families escaping domestic violence situations. It’s a win-win situation when a portion of the dollars we spend to keep hospice patients out of pain can be returned to help a vulnerable population in our community a second time.”

YWCA advocates and staff will use the donated funds to provide counseling, support groups, legal and medical advocacy, and temporary shelter. The YWCA domestic violence services give women and children access to what they need to begin rebuilding their lives after violence.

According to YWCA Executive Director Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin, the donation is particularly welcome at a time when the YWCA increasingly sees operating funds for emergency shelter cut and redirected toward permanent housing. While the YWCA is 100 percent in favor of permanent housing, the need for temporary crisis shelter continues, especially for people who need support and counseling after escaping violence. Schwerin says, "We are thrilled that Hospice chose YWCA as the recipient of these funds. We appreciate their great work in the community and are grateful that they value the YWCA’s important work, too."